Verna Jeanne (Robinson) Elenbaas

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of our beloved Matriarch Verna Jeanne Elenbaas.  Verna died at her home in Cheboygan, Michigan on December 16, 2025.  Her strength and love shaped us, and she will be dearly missed. 

Verna was born July 9, 1934 in Birmingham, Michigan, the daughter of Vern Robinson and Jeanne French Robinson.  She grew up in Cadillac, Michigan, played softball as a teen and was a 1952 graduate of Cadillac High School.  On June 5, 1953, she married James Elenbaas in Cadillac, Michigan.  They settled in Cheboygan to raise their four children. Verna was proud of her Treasurer position in the Cheboygan Hockey Association and Pavilion, and her various roles in Little League and the Lioness Club. In her free time, she loved painting, flower gardening, rock hunting, and exploring her Native American heritage in the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians.  

Verna was a member of St. Paul’s Methodist Church.  When she became unable to attend in person, Verna would listen to the Sunday sermon on her radio then later her computer, and play along with the hymns on her organ. 

Verna is survived by: Children:  Nancy Elenbaas McFarland, Sue Elenbaas, Barb Elenbaas of Cheboygan, and Michael (Julie) Elenbaas of Ithaca, Michigan. Grandchildren:  Nicole (McFarland) Daily, Bryan (Mariah) Elenbaas, Kraig (Jaime) Elenbaas, Lucas (Amelia) McFarland, Adele (Richard) Greene, and Sarah Elenbaas. Great-GrandChildren:  Anna Daily, Emily Mertz-Lafleche, Chace Hibbler, Jordan Elenbaas, Wyatt Elenbaas, and Jaxson Elenbaas.  Great-Great-Grandchildren:  Fisher Mertz-LaFleche, Maverick and Claire Deroshia, and Nash Elenbaas

The funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 22 at Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church in Cheboygan.  The family will receive guests from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at the church the morning of the service.  Burial will take place in the spring at Pine Hill Cemetery, Cheboygan, Michigan.  

A special thanks to Cheboygan Hospice for their dedicated in-home support.  

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Cheboygan Hockey Association for a players’ scholarship fund, or to the Cheboygan Little League for a new Field Sign in memory of Jim and Verna.  

Cheboygan Little League:  https://www.cheboyganlittleleague.org/

Cheboygan Hockey Association: Cheboygan Hockey Association, PO Box 131, Cheboygan, MI 49721 – or drop off at the Rivertown DoIt Center.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Verna Jeanne (Robinson) Elenbaas, please visit our floral store.